2012 National Value Added Ag Conference

Growing your Rural Community Through Partnerships-14th Annual National Value-Added Agriculture Conference

Sunday, June 24 - Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Traverse City, Michigan

The 2012 National Value Added Conference will investigate how partnerships between economic development agencies, communities and businesses enhance the quality of life for rural residents by fostering civic infrastructure, strengthening the sustainability of agricultural production, promoting value-added products and improving economic opportunities consistent with the scale and capacity of the community.

Hosted by: Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Who Should Attend: University Extension Specialists, Rural Development Specialists, State Department of Agriculture officials, Farm Bureau Service providers, Small Business Development Centers, Agricultural Innovation Centers, Cooperative Development Centers and consultants and service providers.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to interact with innovative business owners and economic developers from throughout Michigan and around the United States to discuss rural entrepreneurism, adding value to agricultural products, agritourism and rural economic development. The conference will include breakout sessions and tours to allow maximum interaction between participants and practitioners.

For more information, contact Greta McKinney at 517-353-7185 or via email at mckin134@msu.edu.